In-box configuration apparatus for a computer system

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for configuring a computer system is adapted to allow configuration to occur on the system unit without removing the system unit from its packaging. By so preparing and operating the unit that it can function to a degree as a network client, it is possible to perform steps for configuring &#34;in the package&#34; that violate normal self test expectations. With this abnormal operating environment and operation the system is placed in condition to be removed from the packaging at the user&#39;s location with BIOS and program image customized for the user. This approach provides a freshly configured system and yet eliminates unpacking at a configuration center and then repacking for transfer to the user or the need for refresh configuration at the user site as the system unit is set up for normal use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention relates to configuration of computer systems ingeneral and to apparatus for convenient, customized program, operatingsystem and BIOS loading in particular.

It is normal to custom configure the system unit of a computer systemfor a user at a dealer, a corporate configuration center, or at the usersite. When done at the dealer or at a configuration center the resourcesand skills needed are available but the computer must be removed fromthe packaging, set up, configured with BIOS, operating system and aprogram image and then repackaged to be sent to the end user.Alternatively, the configuration may be done at the manufacturer, priorto packaging, but it is difficult to provide the degree of customizationusually desired without major inventory problems and the customizationtend to get "stale" (out of date) with time and may need to be redone.There may even be royalty expense waste with systems that go stalebefore they are deployed.

At the user site, roll out of generic systems is less efficient ofresources but avoids the repackaging problem. For complex program imagesand system resource add-ons, it may be necessary to send out a skilledconfiguration expert thus consuming valuable skills with travel time tothe user site and, like a doctor making house calls, leaving the expertwithout the full complement of diagnostic equipment and programstypically available at a configuration center.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention recognizes that by configuring system units at thefactory to be able to respond for configuration purposes when only powerand a network connection are in place, it is possible to reconfigure ageneric system unit in its packaging to provide customization for arespective user. This selective reconfiguration may be performed atconfiguration centers where a full complement of support andconfiguration alternatives are available while avoiding the time anddanger of system injury that is present when custom configuration isperformed with a full system unpack, setup, configure, breakdown andrepackaging (does it ever fit back in the box the way it arrived?)followed by shipping to the user site. The invention involves arecognition that systems normally protect themselves from being operatedas would be needed to configure in packaging and it is desirable tomaintain these protections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred implementations for the inventions will now be described withreference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a shipping package for a computersystem unit that supports in-box configuration along with a computersystem according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a computer system suitablefor implementing the invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of network and power sources forconnecting to systems according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart describing logic to place a custom image on thehard drive of the system unit according to the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a timing diagram illustrating throttling of data transfer tocontrol heating while transferring data to a computer apparatus whileenclosed in its shipping package according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a shipping package or carton 100 of cardboard,preferably, is sized to enclose a computer apparatus 105 having acomputer housing 110. The computer housing 110 encloses a computersystem (discussed below with respect to FIG. 2) and has mounted thereto,to be externally accessible, a power connector 120, a network connector130, a display connector 140, a keyboard connector 150, a mouse port 160and a power switch 170. A section 180 of the package 100 is preferablyidentified adjacent to the power connector 120 and the network connector130 to facilitate access thereto and may be identified by a slit todefine a flap or by dashed lines to indicate a cutaway area. To reduceany weakening of the box it is preferred to arrange the networkconnector 130 to be near the power connector 120 so that only a smallopening is needed. One or both of the normal carton flaps may also serveas the section 180 for access without unpacking.

The housing 110 preferably has a cooling fan 190 mounted to exhaust airfrom the housing. According to the invention apertures 195 are providedin package 100 to allow air to be expelled from the package. It ispreferred that the apertures 195, which may be flaps or holes, bearranged to align with the exhaust of the cooling fan 190 to facilitatecooling of the housing 110 when enclosed in the box and energized asexplained below. The opening at section 180 may serve as the coolingaperture 195 in some implementations.

Now referring to FIG. 2 a computer system 200 mounted in computerhousing 110 (see FIG. 1) includes a central microprocessor (CPU) 210 andis connected to a power bus 220, an address bus 230, a control bus 240,and a data bus 250 as is well known. A power supply 260 includes powerswitch 170 and is connected to connector 120. The power supply 260 hasits output applied to a voltage regulator 270 which energizes the powerbus 220. The power supply normally includes the cooling fan 190 but aseparate fan or plural fans may be utilized. A system memory 280 isattached to busses 220, 230, 240 and 250 as are a peripheral buscontroller 290, an input device controller 300 and writable storagemedia which may include CMOS storage 310, flash memory 320 and one ormore hard disk drives 330. The system memory 280, as is well known,provides instructions to the CPU 210 for execution of variouscalculation and control functions. The keyboard connector 150 and mouseport controller 160 are connected to the input device controller 300.While a computer system has been described other electronic devices suchas PDAs and televisions that require customization data may benefit fromin-the-box customization of the invention.

The bus controller, as is well known, supports connectors 340 forreceiving adapter cards. Inserted in the connectors 340 are a displayadapter 350 and a network adapter 360 such as an Ethernet card. Thedisplay connector 140 is supported on the display adapter 350 and thenetwork connector 130 is supported on the network adapter 350.

Referring to FIG. 3, a server 400 is connected to a storage device 410such as a hard drive which contains configuration and application datafor installation on customer systems. The server is connected to a LocalArea Network (LAN) 420 that has a connection port 450 compatible forconnection at the network connector 130 to transfer boot data andconfiguration data to systems such as the system 200. It should beappreciated that any connecting device would suffice so long as theconnector devices are able to transfer data according to the networkprotocol. Hence infra-red or radio coupling devices may serve as theconnectors 130 and 450. A utility receptacle 430 is provided with aconnector 440 that is compatible to attach to the power connector 120 ofsystem 200.

To start configuration according to the invention, the connectors 120and 130 (FIG. 1) are accessed through the package 100 through anaperture defined at section 180. The connectors 440 and 450 are attachedto connectors 120 and 130, respectively, to achieve power and networkconnection to computer system 200. By packing the housing 100 with thepower switch in the on position the computer system 200 will beenergized to operate. If the computer system has a power switch thatdoes not stay in the on state without power applied but is logiccontrollable then logic is preferably added to turn on the system whenexternal power is applied and the network is connected at connector 130.

Once the system is energized normal wake up (500) begins (see FIG.4). Asis well known, system BIOS logic stored, for example, in flash memory320, starts wake up and runs a self test to determine if devices areoperative. For example, mouse or keyboard or display as would in a fullsystem be connected at connectors 140, 150 or 160 are checked. If absentor faulty an error condition is set and startup halts. If self test issuccessful the system proceeds to attempt to boot from the floppy drive(510) and then the hard drive (520) and then if unsuccessful an errorflag is set (555).

According to a preferred implementation for the invention, if self testfails, logic detecting the error signal checks (525) for a networkconnection over card 360 and, if there is a connection, initiates (530)receiving data therefrom. If connected according to the invention, thesystem 200 can receive data and boot instructions downloaded from theserver 400 (FIG. 3). Once the system receives boot instructions tomemory 280 it operates as if under a normal boot process. Once thesystem 200 is at a level of expanded operational capability as a resultof the downloaded instructions, the server 400 proceeds with thedownload of data (550) such as configuration and application programs tothe respective media such as flash memory 320, hard drive 330 and floppydisk drive 335.

This transfer preferably utilizes known LAN wake up technology such asIBM's Wake on LAN technology. With this technology the server 400 needsto supply a packet with the LAN MAC address, as is well known, toindicate to the card 360 that it is being addressed and should wake up.The server 200 then progressively brings the system to an operativelevel at which data can be transferred to the various storage media.After all configuration data, operating system code and application codeis downloaded, the server 400 commands a shut down (560) and theconnections at connectors 120 and 130 are removed to complete theconfiguration process. If for some reason the boot process fails afailure indication is posted (555).

In this way a computer apparatus 105 may be configured in the shippingbox providing convenience and savings over full set-up at aconfiguration station or at the user site.

One possible problem is overheating in the unintended operatingenvironment of the package 100. This may or may not be a problemdepending on the time required for the download. To some extent theproblem is reduced by providing ventilation ports to the package 100such as the apertures 195 (FIG. 1). A further measure is indicated inFIG. 5 involves "throttling" the data flow. The heat generated in thehousing 110 will decrease when no data is being transferred because lessmedia operation is required and use of facilities is less. By shuttingdown the data flow as indicted in FIG. 5 the server 400 can extend theamount of data which can be transferred. To do so, however, requiresthat the total transfer time be extended by the time data transfer isshut down. If heat problems are serious, transfers could be done in partwith the machine powered down in between.

The final result desired however is to have the computer apparatusconfigured and loaded with applications in the packaging for delivery tothe user site.

The invention in a preferred form has been described in detail withreference to the drawings. It should be appreciated that variousalternatives and variations will be suggested to those skilled in theart which are within the contemplation of the invention and referenceshould be had to the claims to determine the scope of the protectedinvention. For example while a connector has been shown any couplerincluding infrared and radio couplers that would allow a data transferto a network would allow the inventive solution to be implemented. Alsofor systems such as laptops the power source may be internal and thepower switch may connect the source such as a battery to energize thesystem.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer apparatus package adapted to beconfigured in protective packaging used for shipping, said computerapparatus package comprising:a computer housing; a shipping cartonenclosing said housing; a computer system which requires energization tooperate and is arranged in the computer housing having;1) a CPU whichexecutes instructions, 2) a memory connected to supply instructions tosaid CPU 3) at least two storage media for storing data which areconnected to exchange data with said CPU and memory said storage mediaincluding a non-volatile memory and a hard drive, 4) a power supply thatreceives external power at a connector accessible at said housing andwhich when connected to external power energizes operation of saidcomputer system, 5) network logic connected to support external datatransfer over a coupling connector 6) network boot up logic that allowsthe system when powered up to do initial setup, without intervention, tooperate said network logic to receive data, including instructions, tosaid memory to be executed by said CPU for bringing the computer systemto an expanded level of operation, 7) wherein the computer system isadapted to operate with at least one external auxiliary device and hasnormal boot up logic that includes self-test logic that signals if thecertain auxiliary device is not present and the network boot up logicinteracts with the self-test logic upon such signal to initialize datatransfer over the network coupling connector, and 8) logic is providedto selectively initiate periods of reduced operation to reduce thepossibility of overheating, whereby said computer system supports customconfiguration in said shipping carton by network transfer.
 2. A computersystem package according to claim 1, wherein an access location isidentified on the shipping carton adjacent the connectors.
 3. A computersystem package according to claim 1 wherein said non-volatile memory isthere are plural storage media including a flash memory.
 4. A computersystem package according to claim 1 wherein the network logic supportsthe Ethernet protocol.
 5. A computer system package according to claim 1wherein the boot up logic checks for media at a floppy drive beforesetting up to transfer data over the network.
 6. A computer systempackage according to claim 1 wherein the storage media is nonvolatile.7. A electronic apparatus package according to claim 1 wherein thestorage media is nonvolatile.
 8. A computer system adapted to beconfigured in protective packaging used for shipping, said computersystem comprising:a computer housing; a computer system arranged in thecomputer housing having;1) a storage media for storing informationincluding configuration data and programs, 2) one or more deviceconnectors for external peripheral devices mounted to said housing, 3) apower supply that receives power at a connector mounted to said housingand which when connected to power energizes operation of said computersystem, 4) network logic connected to a network connector mounted to thecomputer housing, which network logic provides a active signal when itis receiving a signal at said connector and 5) wake up logic that allowsthe system when powered up to do initial setup and test and operate saidstorage media; said wake up logic including error detection to set up anerror condition when predetermined devices are not detected to beconnected at said device connectors and bypass logic that is activatedby an error detection to initialize the network logic for data transferto the storage media whereby customized configuration data may be storedto the storage media.
 9. An electronic apparatus package adapted toallow the electronic apparatus to be configured in protective packagingused for shipping, said electronic apparatus package comprising:anelectronic device housing; a shipping container enclosing said housing;a electronic device requiring customized data, which device is arrangedin the housing and includes;1) at least one storage media for storingdata, 2) a power supply that energizes operation of said computersystem, 3) network logic cooperating with a network coupling connector,which network logic supports transfer of data supplied at saidconnector, and 4) wherein the electronic device is adapted to operatewith at least one external auxiliary device and has boot up logic thatincludes self-test logic that signals if the certain auxiliary device isnot present and the network boot up logic interacts with the self-testlogic upon such signal to initialize data transfer over the networkcoupling connector, whereby said electronic device may be customconfigured in said shipping carton by network transfer.
 10. Anelectronic apparatus package according to claim 9 wherein the electronicdevice is a computer.
 11. An electronic apparatus package according toclaim 9, wherein the power supply is externally energized at a connectorwhich connector is mounted to be accessible externally of saidelectronic device.
 12. An electronic apparatus package according toclaim 9, wherein the storage media includes a flash memory and a harddisk drive.
 13. An electronic apparatus package according to claim 9,wherein an access location is identified on the shipping containeradjacent the connectors.